Pride, Poise, and a Heavy HeartRangers play best game of their playoffs to force game 6

Derick Brassard (New York Rangers)

Where to begin to sing the praises of the New York Ranger’s
5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 5 on Friday night?

How about Derek Brassards “in your face” attack that led to
a 2-1-3 evening?

Mats Zuccarrello’s 3 assists but his all over the ice going
after and fighting anyone and everyone for the puck game?

Derek Dorsett’s challenging any Penguin if they wanted to
fight and none did but more importantly shutting down any Pittsburgh attempts
to “chippy up” the game which protected the Rangers on the ice.

Dom Moore for turning Sidney Crosby into a “non-factor” held
to just 3 shots and in turn taking away the effectiveness of the Crosby/Malkin
combo.

Kevin Klein for quietly becoming a factor at both ends of
the ice as his empty net goal was well deserved as if you watched the whole
game then you would have seen Klein in the right place at the right time every
time.

Brian Boyle for his efforts during the 5 on 3 when Boyle
played such a huge part of disrupting destroyingthe Penguins
power play and sucking the life out of both the Penguins and their fans.

Chris Kreider getting that power play goal which raised the
Ranger confidence by not only getting the game’s first goal but ending that
nasty “0 for” streak. Even better was that Kreider and his linemates set the
tone by attacking the net and frustrating Marc-Andre Fleury.

Ryan McDonagh by playing the way everyone has gone used to
McDonagh playing this season. No more “McDonagh has to be playing hurt” from
the NBC talking heads. McDonagh scoring the 2nd power play goal but
more importantly making it a 3 goal lead on a goal that Fleury should have
stopped but didn’t.

Marty St. Louis doesn’t need to be explained why except
perhaps why he honored his mother by playing. We fans forget that as kids there
is always someone who have to drive you to games, practices, meetings, who sits
in the stands at unheated kiddie rinks to cheer you on. Hockey parents
sacrifice more than any other to help their child play.

Marty St. Louis honored not only his mother but every other
parent who made sure their kid got to the rink.

Alain Vigneault for doing perhaps his best coaching job of
the season. Just telling his players what he wanted and then playing
cheerleader on the bench. No extra coaching just showing his players he
believed in them.

Glen Sather, James Dolan, and the Ranger front office by
doing “the Ranger thing” and sending St. Louis back to New York on the Ranger
charter to pick up his family. Then a private jet to fly St. Louis and his
family to Montreal and if you think the Rangers will present him a bill for all
of this think again.

Oh this game wasn’t perfect as when Dan Girardi pulled his
double gaffe that led to Malkin scoring to make it 2-1 I bet I was not the only
one who thought this is when the season falls apart.

But no the team did not quit and rallied to regain control
scoring to make it 3-1 and finally 4-1.

So now there is a Sunday game in New York on what will be a
very emotional day for the Ranger team trying to help a teammate in pain. The
Rangers did their part and now it is up to the Ranger fans to show up and
support the team.